This Time in Seoul

or Chim, as it is know in Korean.
I have been practicing my yoga for weeks now at the very peaceful hour of 5AM. Yes, you read correctly. However, there’s been a tightening of my right thigh and hamstring for a week or so and as I was walking and booking photo shoots today for my book, I suddenly saw Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine. Am I lucky or what?! I’ve been wanting to try acupuncture for quite some time now and here was my chance. I only expected to make an appointment but Nurse Eun Hye (which means Grace in English) took care of me at once upon approaching the reception desk. She was so warm, professional and kind. It was as if she knew me and was welcoming me into her home. I filled out a questionnaire, the usual stuff and she explained to me that the doctor would see me in a couple of minutes. Wow! Someone had canceled and I filled the space. Divine intervention!
I was seen by the first and ONLY certified “western” Traditional Oriental Medicine Doctor in Korea, Dr. Raimund Royer. He educated me about the liver, why I have dry skin (but it’s wrinkle-free, OK?) and the importance of the kidneys and how it affects other areas of the body that I would have never known had I not met with him today.

What I thought would be a pretty humdrum visit complete with needles turned out to be one of the most enlightening experiences I’ve ever had with the medical community. He realigned my spine using a CHUNA BED (this bed realigns bones, joints and corrects the arch of the spine) as well as using as CHUNA manipulation. CHU means: push, and NA means pull. By doing this we both realigned my spine and the pressure that I had in my right thigh is gone. Yeah CHUNA!

And now the ACUPUNTURE: OH.MY.GOODNESS.
The first prick into the thigh sent a thunderbolt of energy (read:slight pain) straight to my lower abdomen, which surprised the heck out of me, but that was done on purpose because where he pricked me was a direct line to my abdomen. I could feel the pressure lessening in my leg and this eased my mind quite a bit. All in all, there were about five or six needles, one being in my decolletage.

I left that office smarter, happier and more relaxed but most of all, assured that I am in the right place and that I’m meeting people who are helping me in ways that I would have never imagined.

I mean, where could I go in the U.S. be met with kindness straight away, see a doctor so quickly and leave with instant results, peace of mind and with a smile on my face?

I want to thank the founder of Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine, Dr. Jooh Shik-Shin.
See you next week Dr. Royer, and Nurse Eun Hye!

Consultation: 9 dollars
Acupuncture: 7 dollars
CHUNA manipulation: 30.00 dollars
Discovering Oriental medicine in Korea by an Austrian doctor who’s lived in Korea for 27 years: Priceless!